Ho says charging so much for parking deters customers from spending more time at the market.
TRADERS at Pasar Harian Selayang (daily market) complex are up in arms over the introduction of a RM1 hourly parking fee introduced two weeks ago by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Selayang Daily Wet Market Association president Ho Ah Chai, 66, said the hourly parking fee meant that traders at the five-storey complex had to fork out at least RM8 a day.
He said there were 641 bays at the parking complex.
Parking had been free since the market opened in June 2021.
“The 540 traders are unhappy to see automatic ticket machines with barrier gates that force traders and market-goers to pay for parking that was previously free.
“Association members are dissatified that DBKL had not engaged or consulted the traders before introducing the charges on April 1,” he said at a press conference.
Ho said the move had deterred market-goers from parking at the complex, and resulted in them parking along Jalan Selayang Baru.
“Charging a fee for parking is uncalled for as it deters customers from spending more time at the market. This ends up in less sales for us traders.
“Traders and customers are going through tough economic times and it is unwise to further tax people with parking charges,” he said, adding that the association oversees market operations.
Ho claimed that DBKL had awarded the parking management to a private firm without the association’s knowledge.
“In the past two weeks, there have been many complaints, including that the ticket machines were faulty,” he noted.
“This resulted in traffic congestion up the ramps, stretching all the way to the main road.
“DBKL could have let us manage the parking instead of engaging a private firm.”
Also present at the press conference was Batu MP P. Prabakaran.
“It is hoped that DBKL reconsiders and allows the association to manage the multi-level carpark,” said Prabakaran.
“We also want DBKL to review the hourly rate and reduce it to RM1 or RM2 per entry,” the MP added.
Several market-goers who spoke to StarMetro said DBKL’s approach in imposing the hourly parking rate was insensitive.
Charging a fee for parking at the market does not help support those who are recovering from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, many said.
Prabakaran said he would bring the matter to DBKL’s attention.
“I will request that the Kuala Lumpur mayor review the matter on parking operations being awarded to a private firm and to consider allowing the association to run it instead,” he added.
When contacted, a DBKL Corporate Department spokesperson said City Hall had appointed Tetuan In and Out Parking to manage the Selayang market for three years.
“From April 10 to May 31, the company will charge RM1 per entry as a promotional rate.
“After the promotion period is over, parking will be free for the first 15 minutes.
“For the first three hours, it will be RM1 an hour, and RM5 if motorists park for between three and four hours.
“After four hours the charge is RM40, with a maximum of RM40 per day,” said the spokesman.
DBKL said market traders could apply for a RM50 monthly pass but this was only available for 100 parking bays.
The local authority added that it would discuss with the parking operator about increasing the number of monthly passes or adjusting the parking fees.
